Automatic night-candle-molding machine



Filed Aug. 51, 1928 6 Sheets-Sheet l www Dea 93 A. SGRETTA m wgAUTOMATIC-NIGHT CANDLE MOLDING MACHINE Filed Aug. 51, 1928 6Sheets-Sheet 2 Dec. 30, 1930. A. SGRITTA 1,736,634

AUTOMATIC NIGHT CANDLE MOLDING MACHINE Filed Aug. 51, 1928 6Sheets-Sheet 4 IIIII HIH II I ll Dec. 30, 1930. I A. SGRITTA 1,786,634

AUTOMATIC NIGHT CANDLE MOLDING MACHINE Filed Aug. 31, 1928 6Sheets-Sheet 5 Dec. 3%, 1%311 A s TT 1,786,634

AUTOMATIC NIGHT CANDLE MOLDING MACHINE I T 5 \Jn 3 W502: 52$ 55 f Mma?atenteol Dec. 3%, 191%? ALFONSO SGRITTA, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORKAUTOMATIC NIGHT-CANDLE-IVIOLDING MACHINE Application filed August 31,1928.

This invention relates to molding machines and processes, and hasparticular reference to the art that relates to the manufacturing ofnight candles.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved machine formolding articles of any desired substance, and especially of acompartively soft material, regardless of the construction or shape ofthe articles, but especially where the same are hollow, or of a taperedform, or have one finished or ornamental surface and another relativelyunfinished surface, or simply one surface of comparatively uniformcharacter, or possess any combination of these features.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved processfor molding articles having characteristics above referred to, and whichprocess is simple and efficient in practice.

A further object of the invention is to construct improved machine ofthe type mentioned for the automatic molding of night candles, where nthe upper ornamental ends of the candles are neatly formed, while thelower ends are made by a substantially simultaneous removal of theexcess candle material that has solidified over the molds, the hollow inthe candles for receiving the wicks having been previously formed.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved machine forthe molding of night candles wherein the candles are molded with theirupper ends lowermost, and the wick holding clips are applied to thecandles while the latter are positioned in the molds, the means forapplying the clips having unique coaction for removing the candles fromthe molds.

Further objects of the invention are to provide an improved candle,having a central vick opening of considerable larger size than the wick,and which candle has a countersink to facilitate the threading of thewick into the candle; and wherein an improved clip for anchoring thewick in candle is provided.

Generally described, the invention provides a machine and process, whichin whole or in part, are adapted to be used in the mold- Serial No.303,156.

ing of articles of various substances, whether candle material,paraffin, asphaltum, cement, composition materials and metals of bothhigh and low melting points. The particular machine herein shown anddescribec is more ly illustrative of the application of the invention tothe manufacture of night candles. A night candle has an upper ornamentalend of relatively smooth finish, and may have a lower end of unfinishedappearance. The candle tapers, being smaller at the lower end thereof.it has an axial opening through which the wick freely passes, and at itslower end is a clip for engaging the wick to anchor the same in thecandle.

The molds of the machine are so disposed as to cause the candles to bemolded in inverted position, and are water-jacketed for rapid coolingand solidification of the wax. Each mold is equipped at its bottom witha movable closure cap, which is resiliently engaged to close the mold.Communicating with the molds, is a pan for receiving the molten wax, andwhence the was flows into the molds. To provide a central wick receivinghollow in the candles, cores or pins are axially mounted for movementthrough the closure caps and the molds, and with their upper endsextending into the said pan. The pins are then re tracted with theirends out of the said pan, and the wax that has solidified therein andabove the molds is removed by any suitable scraping tool, which is largeand is readily passed over the smooth bottom surface of the pan forsimultaneous action at a plurality of molds, whereby the upper ends ofthe candles are formed. After this operation the body of the candle iscomplete, and has the central opening therein running clear andunobstructed from end to end thereof. The pins are again moved upward,and the wick holding clips placed on the ends of the pins. Thereafter aplurality of hammers descend, which centrally receive the pins and beardown on the clips. The pins thus pass through the openings in the clips,and spread the wick holding prongs thereof. Rapidly the hammers strikethe clips to engage the ends of the candles. At this movement thecandles are, due to the impact with the hammers, caused to move downwardin their molds, with a similar movement of the closure caps, anddeflection of their supporting springs. Finally the caps are positivelystopped in their downward movement, permitting the hammers to drive theclips into secure engagement with the candles. Now the hammers moveupward, whereupon the springs return the closure caps into theiroriginal position, and with the candles again in snug contact with themolds. Also the p" is are lowered entirely out of the molds. Thereafter,the closure caps are lowered away from the molds, and a tray placedbeneath the molds and over the closure caps. Again the hammers arereciprocated downward but this time merely to tap the candles out of themolds and into the tray. The candles are now ready for the wickthreading operation which is performed by a machine that constitutes thesubject matter of a copending application for patent.

The mechanism for the actuation of the parts above set forth includesseparately reciprocable frames for the hammers, the pins, and theclosure caps, respectively. The same may be counterweighted, andoperated by balanced cam drives.

It is therefore a further object of the invention to provide an improvedmachine for molding candle-s according to the method hereinbeforeoutlined, which machine is durable, and relatively simple in itsconstruction and movements.

Other objects and advanta es of the invention will become apparent asthe specification proceeds.

With the aforesaid objects in view, the invention consists in the novelcombinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter described in theirpreferred embodiments, pointed out in the subjoined claims, andillustrated on the annexed drawing, wherein like parts are designated bythe same reference characters throughout the several views.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a view in side elevation of a machine embodying theinvention.

Fig. 2 is a similar view of the head end of the machine.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the machine taken on the line 33 of F 1,with certain parts removed to show top plan views of the machine atlower elevations.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary plan of the main drive shafts, taken on the linei--l of 1.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged view in side elevation of a cam and followerdetail.

Fig. 6 is an edge view of the same.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary enlarged vertical section taken on line 77 ofFig. 1, showing the closure caps and pins in depressed position.

Fig. 8 is a similar view, further enlarged, showing the molds ready toreceive the wax.

Fig. 9 is a plan view of a wiclr holding a clip ready to be placed on apin for engagement with a candle.

Fig. 10 is a section taken on line 10l0 of Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is an enlarged horizontal section taken on line lll1 of Fig. 1,and showing a clutch.

Figs. 12 to '18 are similar fragmentary sections showing the steps inthe molding process and operation of the machine, following Fig. 8.

Fig. 19 is a vertical section of a candle made according to myinvention.

The advantages of the invention as here outlined are best realized whenall of its features and instrumentalities are combined in one and thesame structure, but, useful devices may be produced embodying less thanthe whole.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art to which the inventionappertains, that the same may be incorporated in several differentconstructions. The accompanying drawing, therefore, is submitted merelyas showing the preferred exemplification of the invention.

Referring in detail to the drawing, 20 denotes a machine embodying theinvention. The same includes a frame 21, having a base plate 22, fromwhich extend upwardly, the end frame members 23. Intermediate the sameare stanchions 24., which are also mounted on the said base 22. Formedintegrally with the said members are supporting plates 25 which extendalong the sides of the machine from end to end of the same, and arebolted at 26.

Mounted on the upper part of the machine frame, and substantiallycoextensive therewith, is a horizontal water jacket 27. The same isrectangular in form, and has upper and lower walls 28, 29.

Extending along the edges of the water jacket are end and side walls 30,31, which form with the upper wall 28, a pan 32 for the reception of themolten wax.

Perforating the water jacket 27, are a plurality of molds 33, from whichthe cooling medium extracts heat to cause rapid solidification of thewax in the molds. Each mold is of tubular form, and has its axisvertical. The diameter of the upper end of the mold smaller than that ofthe lower to conform to the desired shape of the inverted candle. Theopenings 8-1, 35 in the walls are of different sizes to accord with theend of the mold received therein. At its lower end, each mold has acylindrical wall portion 36 which snugly fitted in the opening The saidwall portion 36 terminates in an outward, annular abutment lip 37.Packing 38 acts between said lip and the adjacent wall 29 of the waterjacket. The upper end of each mold is exteriorly threaded at 39 toengage a ring locknut which seats in an annular counterbore ell in thewall 28. The said ring has a plurality of sp 'cd .EC- cessses 42 forcoaction with a props By screwing up on the locknut, a water tiglconnection is afforded as between the mold and the water jacket. It isnoted that trio upper end of the mold terminates in the plane of thebottom of the pan 32, or atany rate, does not extend above said bottom.

For eflicient cooling the molds with a minimum of water pressure in thewater j aclzet, sprinkler pipes 45 are employed, which extend throughthe water acket lengthwise of the machine. To accommodate the pipes, themolds are arranged in Terms of two rows at the sides of the machi.-..e,and three rows at the center thereof, and l'ietween the sait groups thepipes are d has upwardly direc "ed discharge opev which make angles of($0 with vertical. Thus the water ayed the upper parts of the moldsflows down therealong. T he sprinkler connect into an inlet header at?outsid chine, nd the supply of water by a main valv 48.

w't 1 the acltet at 50. lromotes circulation of the wa. r and proper anduniform cooling of the molds.

Each mold has lin lric tion 86 counterborcd at to l' a circular closuremember al poi-ti of the latter is seat in the counterbore. member ha anupper ornam constituted preferably 0 i centric Zones, dimi V ward thecenter, to accord wi of a night candle C.

the cio ure members 52 are mounted on which extend lengthwise of the mahine respond to the rows of closure mem t At their e to cross memoaction I .c r M ,i *fillS or the masonic,

ais tion OI th i two of the and they were soaced to proper the load. T ecans are met r- J I (l. which extend hron n tile mac 1 -l r" nw qtw Ti-u" neati ilb moldin appaia its. the uuulib '51 are Journaled 111bearrigs T2 in the side ings 76. The members 73, 74 are designec toimpart rotation 1n opposite directions to the shafts 71, to the end thatthe action of earns 70 may be balanced. Coacting with each cam -70 is afollower construction 7?. The latter is of box form, and includes theupper and lower bars 78 that extend from cam to cam.-

Vertical bars 79 are secured to opposite sides of the horizontal bars78, thus providing a space therebetween in which the cam 70 may move.Guioe members 80 extending between the bars 79 are fastened to oppositesides of the upper and lower cars 78 to form channel guides. The latterreceive followers 81 which have each a plurality of rollers 82 to coactwith the cam 70. Rotation of the cams causes the said followers toreciprocate in a horizontal direction, and to impart a verticalreciprocatory movement to the table 60, as hereinafter described. Toassure operati n with a minimum clearance, a liner 8+1. may co-operatewith one of the followers 81, said liner being adjusted by vs 85.

Extending upward from each follower structure 7 a bar 86, the same beingverticall-y slidable in an arm 87 of a bracket 88. The table is securedto the crosswise bars 89 of the said table whereby the cam is effectiveto vertically reciprocate'the said table. To minimize the wear on thecams Q 0, counterweights 90 are provided, these being disposed eith ralong the sides of the machine or interiorly thereof. They are suspendedfrom ension members 91 that coact with guide pulleys 92 and take overpulleys 98; whence they are fastened at 9% to the end bars 62 of thetable 60.

eferring now to the specific movement of the closure members 52, thesame are each provided with a threaded extension 9? to engage in atubular member 98 which is mounted for Vertically sliding movement in ahole 39 of a bar 61. An expansion coil spring 100 tends to move theclosure member upward with respect to the bar 61, this movement beinglimited by a nut 101 threaded onto the lower end of the member 98. Inthe uppermost position of the table 50, the closure members, as shown inFig. 8, are urged by springs 100 into snug contact with the seats 53 inthe molds 83, the springs being under apre determined deflection. In land 1?, for example, is illustrated the lowermost position of theclosure members. In Fig. 15 the closure members are shown depressed atthe instant that the hammers drive the clips home. The table 60 is inits uppermost position, but the springs 100 have been compressed,permitting the closure members to move downward with respect to the saidtable, and into an axial passage 109 in alinement with 10"; andcountersunk at 110. nus provision is made for central movement of thepins 111 into and out of the mold through passages 106 and 109 ashereinafter more fullv described.

In F1 8 the moldin a )aratus 1S shown ready to receive toe molten wasior making the night candles. It 18 noted that in this position the pinsor cores 111 extend axially through the molds, and with their upper ends112 projecting into the pan 32. The pins are now at their uppermostpoint of travel. They are carried by a table or frame 113, whichincludes bars 111 running lengthwise of the machine, and upon which thepins are centrally mounted in alinement with the molds 33. At theirends, the bars 11 1 are secured together by cross bars 115, having angleshoes 116 for sliding engagement with the end walls of the machine. Toraise or lower the table 113, cams 117 are provided at the sides of themachine adjacent to the ends thereof. The said cams are mounted onshafts 118 which extend transversely of the machine and are journaled onbearings 119 in the frame thereof. Each of the said shafts has a wormwheel 121 thereon, the teeth of which mesh with those of worms 122 on ashaft 123 that extends lengthwise of the machine. Supporting the driveshaft 123 are bearings 12% in the end frame portions of the machine. Itwill be noted that the members 121, 122 are designed to cause shafts 118to rotate oppositely for balanced action. Coacting with each cam 117 isa follower structure 123 similar in all respects to that hereinbeforedescribed for cam 70. Secured to the upper end of the structure 123 area plurality of vertical bars 124:, 125, whose upper ends are braced by across member 126. The center bar 125 constitutes a guide which isslidable in an eye 12? of the machine frame. A cross bar 128 isconnected to the members 125, 126 and to the table 113 to cause thelatter to reciprocate on rotation of the cams 117. Counterweights 130may be provided for the table 113, said counter-weights being suspendedpreferably within the machine by tension means 131 taking around pulleys132, and extending thence to the ends of the machine to engage pulleys133, then upward and around pulleys and being finally secured at 135 tothe said table.

The pins 111 are made of any suitable material, preferably steel, andare of a thickness to mold in candle C a passage 136 of the requisitediameter. The pins are uniformly straight throughout, and their upperends are pointed as shown. At their lower ends, the pins are connectedwith a force lit in the sleeves 137. The latter extend through holes 138in the bars ll l, and are secured by upper and lower locknuts 139threaded onto the sleeves 137. VVhen both the pins 111 and the closuremembers 52 are lowered, their relative position is as shown in Fig. 7,wherein the points of the pins lie substantially within the closuremembers. .Vhen the latter are elevatedfwhile the pins are in loweredposition, the relative positions of the parts is shown in Fig. 16,wherein the ends of the pins are free. For purposes of alinement. thepins are guided in course of their upward movement by the countersinks107 and 110.

For drawing the wick holding clips 1 15 into engagement with candles C,hammers 1 16 are provided. Each of the hammers comprises a tubular shank1 17, in alinement with a mold 33. Threaded onto the lower end of theshank is a head 1 18, having an axial opening 149, and a countersink150. The upper end of the shank is secured by locknuts 151 to a table orframe 152, as, for example, to bars 153 extending longitudinally of themachine, and connected together at their ends by cross bars 154:.

To vertically reciprocate the table 152, cams 155 are provided at theslides of the machine, and mounted on shafts 156. The latter are drivenby a shaft 157, having worms 158, the teeth of which mesh with those ofworm wheels 159 on shafts 156. The members 158 and 159 are designed tocause the shafts 156 to rotate in opposite directions for a balancedaction. Goacting with the cams 155 are follower structures 160, whichare similar to those described for cams 70. Extending upward from 160are vertical bars 161 which are slidably retained in brackets 162secured to the machine. The upper ends of bars 161 are connected tocross bars 163 of the table 152. A counterweight 164: is suspended froma tension member 165 that takes over pulleys 166, 167, and is connectedcentrally to table 152 at 168. The pulleys 166, 167 may be mounted onany convenient overhead beam. The counterweight may also be arranged tobe suspended within the machine itself.

The range of movement of the hammers 1 16 is illustrated in Fig. 2,showing an uppermost position, and in Fig. 15 showing a lowermostposition. In Fig. 18 the hammers are shown at one point in the path oftravel thereof. The specific action of the hammers will be described indetail hereinafter.

Referring to the main shaft 157, it will be understood that to preventdeflection of same, a central bearing 170 may be presided therefor, thesame being mounted on a bar 170a extending across the machine.

5- to a clutch collar mes es All the cams described are positive acting,due to the use of counterweights. The power to operate the machine isthus reduced to a minimum.

The machine is driven by an electric motor 171 positioned on base-1T2secured to the machine frame. Electrical connections 1Y3 lead from thmotor to a rheostat 174 operated by an arm 175. The motor has a pinion hof which esh w' h those of mo ed on a sh it 17 8 that is journaled in aN et 1'? 9. Driven by the shaft 178 is av sprocket wheel 180. Each ofthe main sh. 12F and157 is provided with sprockets 181, 182, and 183,respectively. ll. chain drive interconnects sprockets 180 to 183. Idlers184, 185 i U be provided. Suitable clutches 186 permit any one of themain shafts to be individually driven as desired.

Tn 11 is shown a typical detail clutch 186, as applied to main sh tpinion 183 is freely journals thereon, has an enlar ed hub 18?. said hubis formed with a plurality of bores 188 the axes of which lie incylinder concentrio with the shaft 157. To one side of the member 183 isa collar 189 secured to the said shaft by a set screw 190, and to theother side thereof is a sleeve 191 secured to the shaft by set screw 199The sleeve 191 has passages 176, the t 193 adapted to register with 188.Slidingly carried in the passages 198 are :1

pins 194 which are secured 195 for movement as a unit. The member 195 isslidable on shaft 15? under actuation of a lever 196 ivotar mounted on abracket The low end of the lever is formed in a yoke 198, from whichextend pins 199 carrying rollers 200 that ride in circular groove 201 inthe member On moving the latter toward the left, pins 194 are engagedwith the gear 188 and the shaft 15? caused to rotate. In Fig. 11, theclutch is shown in idle position. )1 stop pin 202 on the end of shaft157 coacts with the member 195.

Levers 203 and 204 similar to 196 are provided for main shafts T5 and123 and are pivoted at 205 and 206, respectively.

To indicate to the operator the elevational position of the closuremembers 52 and pins 111, pointers 207, 208 are provided, carried bytheir respective tables. i-i scale 209 on the machine frame has suitableindicia to show to the operator when one of the tables referred to hasreached the end 1 plurality of At the center of the clip, aplurality ofprongs 211 are struck in an opposite direction to permit a wick to bethrezided therethrough, and to be engaged by the prongs 211.

In F 19 is shown the completed candle, the sea having the countersink 5?for easy reception of the wick 58. The opening 136 in the candle will beunderstood to be considerably larger than the wick, and the burn 1 ofthe candle is believed to be improved thereby. The clip 145 is at thebottom of the candle and engages the lower end of the wick.

The operation of the machine will now be clearly apparent. In Fig. 8 isshown the molding apparatus in position to receive the wax. The moltenwar: is poured into the pan 32 to a depth corresponding to the angle 212of the walls 30, 31 of the said pan.

12 shows the next step in theoperation of the machne, the pins 111having been slightly lowered, to permit the excess wax to be scrapedfree as shown at 213.

13 illustrates the pins 111 again fully elevated, and the clips 145placed thereon.

Fig. 14 shows the next step of bringing the hammers 146 down on thecandles, causing the clips to be passed down over the pins, spreadingthe prongs 211 to subsequently freely receive the wick.

Fig. 1 shows the hammers 146 in their lowermost positions, the candlesbeing depressed, and the closure members 52 moved downward to hear onthe abutment sleeves 105. the springs 100 being deflected, and the saidclips struck into secure engagement with the candles. The central holein the clip is thus accurately alined with the opening in the candle.The countersink 150 in the hammers provides for the reception of theprong 211.

Fig. 16 shows the hammers 146 elevated and the pins 111 lowered, thecandles and closure members 52 being raised by springs 100 to initialposition.

Fig. 17 indicates the subsequent step of lowering the closure caps 52,the candles being frictionally retained in the molds.

18 shows the final step of placing trays 215 under the moldsand abovethe closure members 52, the hammers 146 being again brought down to tapthe candles out of the molds and into the said trays.

The trays 215 are shallow, and of any well known type, and thereforeshown herein only in dotted lines. They are adapted to be removablymounted on permanent supports in the machine, these including invertedT-bars extending transversely of the machine, and resting on bars 21'?extending along the sides of the machine. The latter are mounted onvertical rods 218 which extend slidably through cross bars 62, the lowerends of the rods resting on brackets 88 and 219. The trays are adaptedto rest on the horizontal flanges of the T bars and between the vertical. flanges thereof. While the candles are being manufactured, thetrays are removed. lVhen the closure members are moved up wardly to themolds 33, they pass the T-bars, since the latter are notched at 220.

As the table for the closure members continues to ascend, the cross bars62 come into abutment relation with the bars 217 at the undersidesthereof and may slightly elevate the same. This, however, is a minor:detail I like, including a mold, the mold having a movable bottomclosure, resilient means for moving the closure toward the mold a corepin movable through said bottom closure and axially into the mold, meansto strike a wick clip onto the end of the candle at the upper end of themold, the last mentioned means causing the candle to momentarily depresssaid bottom closure against the force of the resilient means, andloosening the candle in the mold, said resilient means returning theclosure member and candle upward, and means to move the bottom closureaway from the mold to permit the candle to be removed therefrom. i W V3. A machine for molding hollow articles of comparatively soft, fusiblematerial, including a mold, said mold being open at the top thereof toreceive the melted material, a core in the mold, a movable closure forthe bottom of the mold, having snug fitting engagement therewith, saidcore projecting" through the top of the mold through said closure, saidcore being removable from the mold, and means to simultaneously pass aclip over the core into engagement with the article andito loosen thearticle in the mold.

4. A machine of the character described, including a mold for a taperedcandle, the lower part of the mold being larger than the upper, amovable core pin in the mold, a movable closure member for the bottom ofthe mold, means holding said closure member in engagement with themold,'the mold being open at the top, means to strike a Wick clip on thecandle at the top thereof, means to move the closure member entirelyaway from' the mold, and means adapted'to be inserted 7 over the closuremember to receive the candle ALFONSO SGRITTA.

from the mold, the means for striking the clip being movable to depressthe candle out of the mold to drop into the receiving means.

